Speaker 0 | 00:00.040
Hey everyone and welcome back for another deep dive.
Speaker 1 | 00:02.701
Ready to explore some more collocations.
Speaker 0 | 00:04.742
You bet I am. So today we’re going to be looking at a whole bunch of them.
Speaker 1 | 00:07.864
A real mixed bag.
Speaker 0 | 00:09.445
Yeah exactly.
Speaker 1 | 00:10.305
Should be fun.
Speaker 0 | 00:11.526
All right let’s jump right in.
Speaker 1 | 00:13.347
Sounds good.
Speaker 0 | 00:14.647
Our first group all starts with the adjective imperfect.
Speaker 1 | 00:18.890
Okay.
Speaker 0 | 00:19.690
We’ve got imperfect world, imperfect information, imperfect knowledge, imperfect solution. Right. Imperfect model. and imperfect understanding.
Speaker 1 | 00:31.785
Ooh, that’s an interesting set.
Speaker 0 | 00:33.966
Yeah. What do you think when you see these together?
Speaker 1 | 00:36.227
Well, I think what’s really fascinating here is that using imperfect with these concepts really kind of acknowledges the limitations and complexities of these things, you know?
Speaker 0 | 00:47.533
It’s not a perfect world.
Speaker 1 | 00:48.694
Exactly.
Speaker 0 | 00:49.334
We don’t have perfect information.
Speaker 1 | 00:50.675
Yeah, it’s like a built-in reality check for all these big ideas.
Speaker 0 | 00:54.477
I like that, a built-in reality check. So it’s acknowledging that our knowledge Yeah. It’s always evolving. Solutions are rarely perfect. And even our understanding of the world is always changing.
Speaker 1 | 01:05.581
Always being refined.
Speaker 0 | 01:06.922
Yeah. So instead of striving for that unattainable perfection, imperfect, kind of encourages us to embrace the messiness of the real world.
Speaker 1 | 01:15.744
Totally. And find ways to like work with it, you know.
Speaker 0 | 01:19.145
Yeah. Navigate it carefully and thoughtfully.
Speaker 1 | 01:21.066
Exactly. It’s about recognizing those constraints and working within them to find the. best possible solutions. Yeah. Even if they’re not flawless.
Speaker 0 | 01:30.549
I like that it’s a very pragmatic approach.
Speaker 1 | 01:32.689
Definitely.
Speaker 0 | 01:33.410
All right. Let’s move on to a word that carries a bit more weight. Offensive. Offensive language. Yeah. Offensive remark. Offensive behavior. Offensive content. OK. Offensive strategy and offensive weapon.
Speaker 1 | 01:46.793
Interesting.
Speaker 0 | 01:47.874
What do you notice about this set?
Speaker 1 | 01:49.874
Well, I think it’s really interesting how offensive can apply to both. abstract ideas and tangible things like language remarks behavior those things can be offensive right but it really depends on the context and the intent that’s joke can be offensive to one person and not to another exactly context is everything yeah but then a weapon a weapon’s inherently designed to cause harm yeah it’s offensive by its very nature right regardless of the situation that’s a really important distinction yeah
Speaker 0 | 02:22.880
Because it raises all sorts of questions about how we define what is offensive. Right. How societal norms shape our understanding of it.
Speaker 1 | 02:31.744
For sure. And that’s where understanding these collocations is so crucial. Yeah. It lets us navigate these sensitive topics carefully.
Speaker 0 | 02:38.288
With more precision and awareness.
Speaker 1 | 02:39.789
Exactly.
Speaker 0 | 02:40.609
Okay. All right. Let’s move on to a word that I find particularly evocative. Ooh.
Speaker 1 | 02:46.272
Okay.
Speaker 0 | 02:46.813
Blaze. Blaze. We’ve got in a blaze, control the blaze.
Speaker 1 | 02:52.196
forest blaze all kind of conjury up images of fire yeah those are definitely literal fires but then you’ve also got blaze with anger yes and blaze of glory which takes us out of the literal definitely beyond the flames yeah and into the metaphorical it’s true blaze can be more than just fire it represents this intense energy absolutely whether it’s rage or a brilliant achievement right it implies that dramatic intensity a glaze of glory is
Speaker 0 | 03:21.379
a spic Spectacular end.
Speaker 1 | 03:22.896
Yeah. It really leaves a mark.
Speaker 0 | 03:24.437
It paints a picture.
Speaker 1 | 03:25.498
It does.
Speaker 0 | 03:26.358
Now, on to a word that seems to be all about sequences. Okay. Successive. Successive. Successive generations, successive years, successive stages, successive changes, successive victories, and even successive governments.
Speaker 1 | 03:41.507
Wow. That’s a lot of successive things.
Speaker 0 | 03:43.788
What do you notice about these pairings?
Speaker 1 | 03:45.809
Well, it seems like it really emphasizes that continuation over time. A series of events or stages that are all linked together.
Speaker 0 | 03:53.289
So it’s not just one thing after another. Right. It’s a progression. It is. Like successive victories would be a string of wins, one building on the last.
Speaker 1 | 04:01.171
Exactly. And it’s really helpful when you’re describing trends.
Speaker 0 | 04:04.832
Oh, interesting.
Speaker 1 | 04:05.412
Historical events. Or even like personal growth over time. It highlights that sense of continuity and progression.
Speaker 0 | 04:11.954
I like that. Yeah. Our next word is prolong.
Speaker 1 | 04:15.095
Prolong.
Speaker 0 | 04:16.395
And this one has me thinking about. all the things we wish we could make last longer.
Speaker 1 | 04:20.437
Oh, yeah.
Speaker 0 | 04:21.778
Or maybe sometimes things we wish would just end already.
Speaker 1 | 04:24.700
Uh-huh. That’s true.
Speaker 0 | 04:26.121
We’ve got prolong life. Okay. Prolong the duration, prolong treatment, prolong the process, but also prolong suffering and even prolong recovery.
Speaker 1 | 04:36.148
That’s interesting.
Speaker 0 | 04:37.149
What stands out to you about these pairings?
Speaker 1 | 04:39.030
I think the interesting thing is that there’s this inherent duality. Some things we want to prolong.
Speaker 0 | 04:44.974
Right. Like life, joy. positive experiences.
Speaker 1 | 04:48.077
Exactly.
Speaker 0 | 04:49.158
But then there are things we really don’t want to prolong.
Speaker 1 | 04:51.941
Yes. Like suffering.
Speaker 0 | 04:53.663
Painful situations.
Speaker 1 | 04:55.005
Severe situations. Yeah.
Speaker 0 | 04:56.507
It’s fascinating how prolong itself is neutral, but the noun it’s paired with. really changes the meaning.
Speaker 1 | 05:04.960
Totally. Prolonging a vacation sounds amazing. Absolutely. Prolonging a root canal.
Speaker 0 | 05:10.485
Not so much.
Speaker 1 | 05:11.545
I think we can all agree on that one. It just shows you how that context and the words we choose can really impact the meaning.
Speaker 0 | 05:19.092
All right, let’s move on to a word with a more formal, almost ceremonial feel, vow. Vow. We’ve got make a vow, break a vow, wedding vow, solemn vow, renew a vow, sacred vow.
Speaker 1 | 05:32.299
It’s a powerful word.
Speaker 0 | 05:33.399
It is.
Speaker 1 | 05:34.020
Lots of weight to it.
Speaker 0 | 05:35.301
Yeah, it emphasizes the weight and significance. Yeah. Of a promise, especially one made formally or ritually.
Speaker 1 | 05:41.686
Exactly.
Speaker 0 | 05:42.387
It’s not just a casual agreement. Right. It’s a deeply held commitment.
Speaker 1 | 05:46.150
It is. And the consequences of breaking a vow are often significant. Yeah. Socially, emotionally, even spiritually sometimes.
Speaker 0 | 05:52.515
Like wedding vows.
Speaker 1 | 05:53.556
Exactly.
Speaker 0 | 05:54.376
They’re spoken with sincerity and commitment in front of all those witnesses.
Speaker 1 | 05:58.440
Yeah, there’s real accountability there.
Speaker 0 | 06:00.121
It’s a powerful example of how… Language is used to solidify bonds and create obligations.
Speaker 1 | 06:05.708
It really makes you think about the vows you’ve made in your own life.
Speaker 0 | 06:11.009
What do those vows mean?
Speaker 1 | 06:12.309
Yeah, it’s a good reminder of the power of our words.
Speaker 0 | 06:14.830
And the commitments we choose to uphold.
Speaker 1 | 06:16.951
Exactly.
Speaker 0 | 06:17.991
Okay, let’s move on to a set of collocations that highlight that specialization we see in a lot of professions. We’ll start with surgeon.
Speaker 1 | 06:25.273
Surgeon, okay.
Speaker 0 | 06:26.093
You’ve got skilled surgeon, heart surgeon, plastic surgeon, brain surgeon.
Speaker 1 | 06:30.503
Wow, they’re so specific.
Speaker 0 | 06:32.303
Lead surgeon and pediatric surgeon.
Speaker 1 | 06:35.384
It’s amazing how language evolves to reflect the complexity of the world.
Speaker 0 | 06:40.186
It’s not just about being a surgeon anymore. Right. It’s about focusing on a specific area of expertise.
Speaker 1 | 06:46.748
Exactly. Surgery has become so advanced that you need to really specialize.
Speaker 0 | 06:51.769
On a specific organ, a specific procedure, even a specific age group.
Speaker 1 | 06:56.747
Yeah, and that’s reflected in the language we use.
Speaker 0 | 06:59.008
To describe these professionals.
Speaker 1 | 07:00.529
Yes. It really highlights the depth of knowledge and skill required.
Speaker 0 | 07:04.612
Okay. And following a similar pattern, we have attendant.
Speaker 1 | 07:08.475
Attendant.
Speaker 0 | 07:09.355
Which seems to be all about providing service or assistance in specific locations.
Speaker 1 | 07:14.979
Interesting.
Speaker 0 | 07:15.580
So we’ve got parking attendant. Okay. Gas station attendant, room attendant, flight attendant. Right, right. Hospital attendant and pool attendant.
Speaker 1 | 07:23.065
I see what you mean.
Speaker 0 | 07:24.566
So what do you think about those?
Speaker 1 | 07:25.907
It seems like attendant implies a role that is both helpful and location specific. Yeah. They’re there to help you in that setting.
Speaker 0 | 07:35.029
Whether it’s guiding you to a parking spot. Yeah. Checking you into your room. Ensuring your safety on a flight. Exactly. And the collocations we use to describe these attendants.
Speaker 1 | 07:46.632
Yeah.
Speaker 0 | 07:47.753
Reflect that connection between their role and their location.
Speaker 1 | 07:50.913
It’s true. All right.
Speaker 0 | 07:51.834
Okay. Things are about to get a little bit more intense. Uh-oh. With our next word, murderer.
Speaker 1 | 07:57.175
Murderer.
Speaker 0 | 07:58.375
And the adjectives used to describe these individuals are definitely chilling.
Speaker 1 | 08:02.477
All right, let’s hear them.
Speaker 0 | 08:04.037
Serial murderer, convicted murderer, brutal murderer.
Speaker 1 | 08:08.058
Okay.
Speaker 0 | 08:08.638
Cold-blooded murderer, suspected murderer, and notorious murderer.
Speaker 1 | 08:14.460
Those are heavy.
Speaker 0 | 08:15.860
Yeah. What do you think?
Speaker 1 | 08:17.221
I think these are the kinds of collocations you find. In true crime stories, legal contexts, news reports about horrific events. Yeah. They really evoke a sense of fear and danger.
Speaker 0 | 08:27.484
Yeah, they do. And the adjective really shapes the narrative. Totally. Suspected murderer. Yeah. Has a sense of uncertainty. Right. But notorious murderer. Yeah. Conjures up images of widespread fear.
Speaker 1 | 08:39.068
Absolutely. And these collocations are powerful because they tap into our fascination with crime, with punishment. Yeah. The dark side of human nature.
Speaker 0 | 08:49.513
Okay. Let’s shift to a word that describes a more internal state. Okay. Withdrawn.
Speaker 1 | 08:54.795
Withdrawn.
Speaker 0 | 08:55.456
Withdrawn personality. Withdrawn child. Emotionally withdrawing. Withdrawn behavior. Interesting. What do you think about these?
Speaker 1 | 09:03.963
Well, these collocations suggest a retreat from social engagement. A pulling back from the world, either emotionally or physically.
Speaker 0 | 09:12.690
It can be temporary or a more ingrained personality trait. That’s true. Like sometimes people become withdrawn after a traumatic experience. Right. While others are just naturally more introverted. And then there’s the phrase become withdrawn. Yeah. And the even more extreme, withdrawn from society. Right.
Speaker 1 | 09:29.223
A complete disengagement.
Speaker 0 | 09:30.704
Which suggests a more complete disengagement. It does. So understanding these collocations can help us recognize and empathize with those who might be struggling.
Speaker 1 | 09:41.412
Definitely.
Speaker 0 | 09:41.932
With social interaction or facing those internal challenges.
Speaker 1 | 09:44.814
For sure.
Speaker 0 | 09:46.235
All right. That was a lot of collocations.
Speaker 1 | 09:47.596
It was. We covered a lot of ground.
Speaker 0 | 09:49.197
We did. So let’s take a break and we’ll come back. with more right after this.
Speaker 1 | 09:52.980
Sounds good. Okay, so moving on to a word that can have both positive and negative connotations. Okay. Token.
Speaker 0 | 10:01.107
Token.
Speaker 1 | 10:02.088
So you’ve got… Token gesture, token effort, token payment. Right. Often kind of implying something small or insignificant.
Speaker 0 | 10:10.366
Yeah, like if someone’s putting in a token effort. Yeah. You know, they’re not really trapped.
Speaker 1 | 10:14.589
Exactly, just going through the motions. A token payment is usually a tiny amount. Right. Doesn’t reflect the real value.
Speaker 0 | 10:21.435
Yeah, almost symbolic. But then there’s token of appreciation. Yes. And souvenir token. Right. Which are more positive.
Speaker 1 | 10:29.161
Yeah, those have a much more positive spin.
Speaker 0 | 10:31.162
Yeah, a token of appreciation is still small, but it’s given with genuine gratitude.
Speaker 1 | 10:35.944
It is a real gesture of goodwill.
Speaker 0 | 10:37.425
And a souvenir token is something you keep to remember and experience. Exactly. So it’s not the size or value of the token that matters. Right. It’s the intention and the context.
Speaker 1 | 10:47.751
Exactly. It all comes down to the company it keeps. Yeah.
Speaker 0 | 10:51.053
Okay, speaking of changing meanings, let’s look at honestly.
Speaker 1 | 10:55.415
Honestly,
Speaker 0 | 10:56.135
okay. Which is all about being truthful. So we’ve got honestly believe, honestly think, honestly hope, honestly admit, honestly feel, and honestly answer.
Speaker 1 | 11:07.249
So what do you think’s going on here?
Speaker 0 | 11:09.010
Well, honestly, really seems to emphasize that authenticity.
Speaker 1 | 11:12.472
Yeah, that transparency.
Speaker 0 | 11:14.033
Yeah, particularly when you’re expressing opinions or beliefs.
Speaker 1 | 11:17.215
It’s like saying, this is what I really think. Yeah. No holding back.
Speaker 0 | 11:21.017
It adds that sincerity. Yeah. Like you’re really laying it all out there.
Speaker 1 | 11:24.019
Exactly. Often used in personal conversations. Yeah. Or when you’re talking about something sensitive.
Speaker 0 | 11:29.006
Where that trust and openness are essential.
Speaker 1 | 11:32.069
For sure.
Speaker 0 | 11:32.830
Okay, now for a word that conjures up good vibes.
Speaker 1 | 11:35.772
I like it.
Speaker 0 | 11:36.413
Pleasantly. Pleasantly. You’ve got pleasantly warm, pleasantly relaxed, pleasantly refreshing, pleasantly situated. Okay. And even pleasantly surprised.
Speaker 1 | 11:46.762
What a great group of words. I know, right? It makes you feel good just hearing them.
Speaker 0 | 11:50.865
So what are your thoughts on these collocations?
Speaker 1 | 11:52.787
Well, they really highlight how… pleasantly elevates these experiences. Yeah. Beyond just neutral or okay. Right. It suggests real satisfaction, well-being enjoyment.
Speaker 0 | 12:05.718
Pleasantly surprised is like a delightful discovery. It is. Unexpected joy.
Speaker 1 | 12:10.963
And pleasantly warm. Yeah. Is that perfect cozy temperature?
Speaker 0 | 12:14.986
It’s not just the absence of cold. Right. It’s that feeling of warmth.
Speaker 1 | 12:18.490
It’s that Goldilocks temperature.
Speaker 0 | 12:20.411
Exactly. Yeah. Okay, let’s talk about something we see every day. Often without thinking much about it. What is it? Pavement. Oh,
Speaker 1 | 12:28.699
pavement.
Speaker 0 | 12:29.400
Sure. Pavement surface, pavement cracks, wet pavement, pavement repair.
Speaker 1 | 12:34.305
Okay.
Speaker 0 | 12:35.306
Concrete pavement and pavement markings.
Speaker 1 | 12:38.809
So basic, but so important.
Speaker 0 | 12:40.972
I know, right? What are your thoughts?
Speaker 1 | 12:43.714
Well, it might seem mundane. Yeah. But it really highlights how important pavement is to our daily lives.
Speaker 0 | 12:50.423
We rely on pavement for safe transportation.
Speaker 1 | 12:52.784
Absolutely. Whether you’re walking, bike and driving.
Speaker 0 | 12:55.206
Those pavement markings. Yes. Help guide traffic and keep us all safe.
Speaker 1 | 12:59.468
They really do.
Speaker 0 | 13:00.588
It’s a good reminder that even the ordinary things can have a big impact.
Speaker 1 | 13:04.691
They can.
Speaker 0 | 13:05.431
Okay. To wrap things up on a positive note. Sounds good. Let’s end with rosy.
Speaker 1 | 13:09.573
Rosy.
Speaker 0 | 13:10.114
So we’ve got rosy cheeks, rosy complexion, rosy glow. Okay. And then the metaphorical rosy. Outlook and rosy future.
Speaker 1 | 13:18.242
Love it.
Speaker 0 | 13:19.202
What do you think about these?
Speaker 1 | 13:20.523
I think rosy has such positive connotations. Yeah. Health, beauty, optimism, good fortune.
Speaker 0 | 13:28.266
Rosy cheeks are a sign of vitality.
Speaker 1 | 13:30.747
Yes.
Speaker 0 | 13:31.747
And rosy outlook implies hopefulness and confidence.
Speaker 1 | 13:35.009
Yeah. A beautiful image to end on.
Speaker 0 | 13:37.130
It is.
Speaker 1 | 13:37.690
It is. All right. One more set of collocations to explore. Okay. Bring it on. This one’s all about personal choices. Like? preference preference okay so we’ve got personal preference color preference uh food preference show a preference strong preference and cultural preference that’s a good mix it is what do you think well i like how preference can apply to so many different things yeah from individual tastes yeah to like bigger societal norms right like someone might have a strong
Speaker 0 | 14:07.219
preference for coffee over tea exactly or vice versa vice versa
Speaker 1 | 14:11.561
Maybe they can’t imagine starting their day without Earl Grey.
Speaker 0 | 14:14.241
Yeah, and those preferences can be influenced by all sorts of things. Oh,
Speaker 1 | 14:17.042
totally.
Speaker 0 | 14:17.482
Personal experiences. Yeah. Cultural background. Sure. Even marketing. It’s true. And speaking of cultural influences. Yeah. Cultural preferences can shape everything from food to fashion to music.
Speaker 1 | 14:29.666
Yeah, even social customs.
Speaker 0 | 14:31.567
It’s amazing how those preferences contribute to human diversity.
Speaker 1 | 14:34.888
They really do.
Speaker 0 | 14:35.788
What might be normal in one culture. Right. Could be totally different in another.
Speaker 1 | 14:39.681
Exactly. And understanding those nuances is so important for communication. Absolutely. And cross-cultural understanding. Well,
Speaker 0 | 14:47.123
I think we’ve done it again.
Speaker 1 | 14:48.243
I think we have.
Speaker 0 | 14:48.983
We’ve explored the fascinating world of collocation.
Speaker 1 | 14:51.644
We dove deep.
Speaker 0 | 14:53.004
We went deep. And hopefully our listeners now have a better appreciation.
Speaker 1 | 14:57.566
I hope so.
Speaker 0 | 14:58.146
For these word pairings.
Speaker 1 | 14:59.506
Remember, paying attention to these collocations. Yeah. Is key to sounding more natural and fluent.
Speaker 0 | 15:05.560
It’s like that secret ingredient.
Speaker 1 | 15:06.821
It is the secret ingredient.
Speaker 0 | 15:08.042
To fluent and natural sounding language.
Speaker 1 | 15:09.903
Exactly. And the more you listen to authentic English, the more you’ll start to pick up these patterns.
Speaker 0 | 15:15.408
So keep those ears open.
Speaker 1 | 15:16.709
Keep them open.
Speaker 0 | 15:17.769
Keep those minds curious. That’s right. And don’t be afraid to experiment.
Speaker 1 | 15:21.753
Experiment away.
Speaker 0 | 15:23.254
With new collocations.
Speaker 1 | 15:24.515
Have fun with it.
Speaker 0 | 15:25.856
Arr. That’s it for today.
Speaker 1 | 15:27.257
Until next time.
Speaker 0 | 15:28.318
Happy exploring, everyone.
Speaker 1 | 15:29.819
Bye.